Bow Hunter Safety Class to be Held in Thedford

     Thedford, Neb. – A bow hunter safety course will be held at the Upper Loup Natural Resources office in Thedford on April 20-22.  According to the Nebraska Game and Parks, all archery (Bow and Arrow) hunters of deer, antelope, elk or mountain sheep age 12 through age 29 must have completed a bow hunter education course AND must carry some form of proof showing you have complete the required course on your person while hunting deer, antelope, elk and mountain sheep.

     The ten-hour course covers everything from proper equipment use, planning a hunt, point of shot, wildlife and habitat conservation.  The class is a three session course and attendance is mandatory for all sessions to receive certification.  Sessions will be:  Friday, April 20^th 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CT, Saturday, April 21^st 9 am – 4 pm CT, and Sunday, April 22^nd 2 pm - 3 pm CT.  Participants are asked to bring their lunch for Saturday’s session.  The class will be held at the Upper Loup NRD office at 39252 Highway 2 in Thedford.  For more information or to register, please visit the Nebraska’s Game and Parks Commission website at www.huntsafenebraska.org.



TAKE PART IN THE THIRD ANNUAL “ACE” EVENT

     Sign up today for the third annual Adventure Camp about the Environment (ACE).  ACE is for middle school students who have completed sixth, seventh and eighth grades in the 2011-2012 school year and who are interested in having fun and learning about Nebraska Natural Resources.  ACE is hosted at the State 4-H Youth Camp near Halsey, June 17^th-20^th and is organized by Nebraska Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) and the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD).

     The four-day adventure camp focuses on water resources, soil and land, forestry, range and grassland, and wildlife, while educating campers through hands-on activities on the importance of protecting our natural resources. During ACE, campers have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and dig into nature and form a new understanding of the environment through interactive participation. 

     In addition, campers have the chance to experience nature through activities such as tubing, archery, zip line, water rockets, the water slide and other adventures.  Campers also will learn about possible careers in the area of natural resources from the professionals who work there every day. This is a great opportunity to get our youth involved in learning about natural resources through hands-on activities with experts that are excited about natural resources.

     Fees and registration is $185.00 dollars per camper.  Many NRDs offer scholarships for the four day camp, contact your local NRD to see if assistance is available.  Space is limited and the registration deadline is May 25, 2012.  The Upper Loup NRD offers one full scholarship per sub-district.

Scholarship Form

Brochure/Registration Form

     ACE is sponsored by Nebraska NRDs, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, Olsen Agricultural Laboratory, Hooker County Turner Youth Initiative, the Nebraska Environmental Trust and Nebraska Academy of Science, Inc. Nebraska NRDs and NARD partnered with several organizations to help make the camp a success.  Partnering organizations included: University of Nebraska, Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nebraska National Forest, Nebraska State 4-H Camp, and Nebraska Pheasants Forever. 



Upper Loup Natural Resources District Notice of Public Hearing

   The Upper Loup NRD will conduct a public hearing on Thursday May 10, 2012 to receive public testimony in regards to proposed amendments to the Upper Loup NRD Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations. Revisions include an acre feet withdrawal per year, Phase 2 Area water quality rules and regulations were added, and the sunset date on the allotment of 2,500 new irrigated groundwater acres annually has been removed.

    The hearing will be at 7:00 p.m. CT, at the Upper Loup NRD office in Thedford, NE.

     A full text copy of the amended Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations can be obtained from the Upper Loup NRD office or viewed and downloaded from www.upperloupnrd.org



Small Acreage Tree Packages Available

Do you have enough protection? Trees provide important benefits such as protecting homes from wind and snow, helps reduce heating and cooling costs, prevents soil erosion, and provides wildlife habitat. The Upper Loup NRD has a new Small Acreage Tree Packages available for order. Each package will include 10 each of the following species:  Ponderosa Pine, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Hackberry, Chokecherry, and American Cranberrybush. Price is $50.00 per package.  To order or for more information contact Kyle at the Upper Loup NRD office at 308-645-2250.



Prescribed Burn Training Workshops

Nebraska Pheasants Forever Chapter is hosting a burn school in Thedford, NE January 26, 2012 at Brahmer's Steakhouse & Saloon, 39359 Hwy2, Thedford, NE.

For more information and to register visit Pheasants Forever website or call 308-428-3062.